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Tuesday, 10 May 2016

Abdul Karim Khan Rohilla of Darbhanga

The earlier Afghan settlers in Allahabad, Darbhanga, Orissa and Slihet,
who may be classed as Indo-Afghans, had been replenished in the 17th and
first half of the 18th century by a fresh wave of Afghan immigration
into Northern India, which was part of a larger Central and West Asiatic
penetration of it in those times. Afghan adventurers found military
employments in many places either as retainers or as mercenaries, and
some of them began to found principalities , and build up spheres of
influence of their own, as in Rohilkhand and Farrukhabad. This peaceful
Afghan penetration paved the way for, and was conversely assisted and
furthered by Afghan invasions from the North-West since 1748, just as in
the immediately previous period prolonged Persian influence and
penetration culminated in the Persian invasion of 1738-39 AD.

In 1738 when Alivardi Khan was deputy governor of Bihar, Banjaras
had laid the country under contributions and plundered right and left.They
created disturbances every where in the region. Alivardi ordered Abdul
Karim Khan, the Afghan of Darbhanga , to chastise the rebels. Diwan
Chintaman Das and Hidayat Ali Khan were also sent with him. Banjaras on
hearing the name of Karim Khan Afghan, fled to the hills of Makmani
(Mukwanpur) (in Nepal Terai) which was famous for its strength. Karim
Khan was helped, by the Raja of Bettia, in his mission. Karim Khan
ascended to the hill forts. The Bangaras took to the flight towards the
passes of Makmani, whose Raja was outside the realm of Hindustan. Karim
Khan wrote to the Raja and with his connivance he succeeded in taking
20,000 horses and much body. When Karim Khan reached Hajipur, Alivardi
crossed the Ganges and took by force a portion of the spoils of Abdul
Karim Khan. As for the portion not credited to the state, Karim Khan
generously distributed it among all his soldiers. Muzzafarnama (translation of Sir Jadunath Sarkar)describes him as one of the greatest heroes of his times.

The
Banjars had, by this time, being aware of the weakening of the central
authority , began to come together with other rebel chiefs of the area
and in vast horde engaged themselves in creating disturbances. Abdul
Karim's force, with 4000 Afghan horsemen, advanced rapidly and gave them
no respite.

In 1738, Abdul Karim, the brave Afghan
commander of Alivardi, conscious of his own prowess, grew rather
insolent and manifested a spirit of independence that spurred at
authority. Apprehending that the example of Afghan commander might breed
infection among others to the prejudice of his government, Alivardi got
him murdered through a clever device when he attended the chilchil
satun or Hall of audience at Patna.

According to
Muzzafarnama , Alivari summoned Abdul Karim to his audience and posted
against him men at two places in his path at the fort with a view to
overthrowing him. When Karim arrived at the second post, held by Yaswant
Nagar, a Nagar soldier came up from behind and wished to strike him
with sword. Abdul Karim looked at him with such angry eyes that his
countenance failed. Karim arrived with two attendants in front of
Alivardi. The greatest of the heroes, Mirza Dawar Quli Beg, who stood
face to face with him ready for fight , struck him with his sword. Karim
hit Mirza Dawar Quli so hard that the hilt of the sword with his finger
was severed. They fought like Rustam and Asfandiyar. In the end Karim
Khan was defeated and slain and his two attendants were wounded. All
this time, Alivardi sat down there, watching the scene. When the severed
head of Abdul Karim was thrown among his followers , who were standing
at the gate of the fort, they helplessly took to flight to save their
lives. Thus ended the career of one of the brave Afghan soldiers of his
age, whom ambitious Alivardi could not tolerate for good after the work
of suppressing of the Banjaras had been achieved.